Chronic UTIs: Common Triggers and Long-Term Solutions

Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) typically keep recurring despite getting the right treatment. These infections don’t respond to the treatment and therefore, will continue to affect your urinary tract.
 

The urinary tract is the pathway that makes up your urinary system. It includes kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. If you have two or more bladder infections in a year, you might have chronic, or recurrent, bladder infection.
 

While urinary tract infections can happen to anyone at any age, some women suffer from repeated or recurrent infections more often. Recurring UTIs usually lead to severe complications, but treatment options are available. However, it’s important to seek immediate treatment to avoid any kind of complications. So to understand the common triggers and long term solutions for UTIs, let’s dive into the details of chronic UTIs, including their causes, symptoms, and the treatments.
 

If you are prone to recurrent UTIs, you can head them off before they take hold. For personalized treatment and care, consult the experts by calling +91 9667064100.

Understanding Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of the urinary tract that either don’t respond to treatment or keep recurring.

A UTI can affect any part of your urinary system. When an infection only affects your bladder, it’s usually a minor illness that can be easily treated. However, if a UTI reaches the kidneys, it can be more serious as a person may need to go to the hospital for treatment.

Common Triggers & Risk Factors 

• A UTI is the result of a bacterial infection, caused by bacteria E coli. In most cases, the bacteria enter the urinary system through the urethra and then multiply in the bladder.

• UTIs in men are often related to an enlarged prostate blocking the flow of urine.

• Sex may trigger a UTI in women as intercourse can move bacteria from the anal area toward the opening of the urethra.

• Using spermicides, diaphragms, and condoms may also raise the risk of a UTI. 

Some of the other risk factors associated with the chronic UTIs includes:  

• Being female: Chronic UTIs are most common in females.

• Lifestyle factors: Certain habits can put you at extra risk of developing a chronic UTI.

• Menopause: Menopause causes hormonal changes that can cause changes in your vaginal bacteria which increases your risk of chronic UTIs.

• Weak immunity: The risk is higher in people with a weakened immune system.

Why do women get recurrent UTIs?

Women are prone to get chronic UTIs due to the basic human anatomy.
First, the urethra is close to the rectum in females. As a result, it’s easier for bacteria from the rectum to reach the urethra.

Second, the female urethra is shorter. This means that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to get to the bladder, where they can multiply and cause infection.
 

Symptoms

The symptoms of a chronic UTI affecting your bladder include:

• Frequent urination 

• Blood-tinged, cloudy urine

• Burning sensation while urinating

• Pain in lower back, bladder region or below your ribs

If the UTI spreads to your kidneys, it might cause:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Chills

• Fever

• Fatigue
   

Diagnosis

A doctor may carry out the following tests to reach a diagnosis and understand why a UTI is recurring:

• Urine culture test to check for bacterial cultures in urine.

• Visual bladder and urethra exam to check for any abnormalities.

• Computed tomography (CT) scan of the urinary tract allows the doctor to see the urinary tract in more detail.
   

Treatment

Medications: A course of antibiotics for almost a week is the primary treatment for UTIs.
However, in case of chronic UTIs, your doctor may prescribe long term, low dose antibiotics for more than a week after the initial symptoms subside. In many cases, this helps prevent symptoms from recurring.

Depending on your cause and symptoms, you may also be recommended a course of antibiotics after each time you have intercourse.

If your chronic UTIs occur with menopause, you’ll be prescribed vaginal estrogen therapy.

In addition to medications, your doctor may ask you to perform regular home urine tests to check for infections.

Natural Remedies: Drinking plenty of water and fluids can help dilute urine and flush out bacteria in the urinary tract.

If you’re experiencing pain, a hot water bottle on your bladder may provide you relief.
 

Complications

If a bladder infection remains untreated, it can spread to the kidneys, which is more dangerous. Without proper treatment, a kidney infection may lead to permanent kidney damage.
 

Preventing UTIs

• Drink plenty of water/fluids, about 2-3 liters every day. 

• Use alternative contraception that does not include a spermicide.

• Following sexual intercourse, empty your bladder immediately.

• If you are postmenopausal, consider vaginal estrogen therapy.

• Wipe your genital area front to back. 

• Probiotics may be effective in treating and preventing UTIs when used alongside standard antibiotic therapy.

• Wearing cotton-lined and loose-fitting clothing may ease symptoms of an existing UTI infection by helping to keep the area dry and clean.

Meet the Best Doctor for Chronic UTIs Treatment at Felix Hospitals

As mentioned, chronic UTIs usually clear up with long-term antibiotics. However, getting to know the early signs of infection will help a person take their antibiotics as soon as they are needed. It is important to seek further treatment if UTIs continue to recur. Seek expert treatment and patient-centric care at Felix Hospitals, the best hospital for chronic UTIs treatment in Noida.  
 

At Felix Hospitals, we have the best doctors for the treatment of chronic UTIs. Our highly experienced team of urologists, uro-surgeons, robotic surgeons, nurses, and laboratory technicians are committed to providing quality patient care. Our top urologists, led by Dr. Bhanwar Lal Barkesiya specializes in offering you personalized treatment plans for chronic UTIs. We provide comprehensive treatments for urological problems, both in men and women, including the urinary tract infections, incontinence, kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, etc.

Conclusion

Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and painful. While most chronic UTIs will resolve with a course of antibiotics, monitoring for further symptoms is equally important since they have a tendency to recur.
 

People with UTIs should seek immediate treatment at the start of a new infection. Early treatment decreases your risk of more serious, long-term complications.

If you have recurrent UTIs or if you wish to know the chronic UTIs treatment cost, speak to our representative at: +(91) 9667064100.

FAQs

Q1- Can you treat a UTI without antibiotics?
ANS: A short course of antibiotics is typically the first-line treatment for UTIs. But for chronic infections, a doctor might prescribe a long-term, low dose antibiotic. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to serious complications and health problems.

Q2- What happens if UTI isn’t treated? 
ANS: The infection can sometimes spread to the kidneys and bloodstream. The kidney infection can cause kidney damage and kidney scarring.

Q3- How long do UTIs last? 
ANS: With antibiotic treatment, symptoms of a UTI typically improve within 2–4 days.
But this can vary depending on factors such as how quickly you receive treatment, the severity of your infection, and whether any complications arise.

Q4- Is there any hygienic measure that prevents infection?
ANS: Urinary tract infections are not caused by inadequate hygiene. However, patients with recurrent urinary tract infections should pay special attention to avoiding persistent moisture in the vaginal area and should wipe their genital area front to back.

Q5- Is it harmful to take too many antibiotics?
ANS: Like all drugs, antibiotics also have side effects that should not be underestimated. Antibiotic treatment is the only option has been proven to be highly effective against urinary tract infection, both in acute treatment and to prevent recurrence.